The first phase of a new automotive proving ground constructed by Sino-German joint venture FAW-Volkswagen was put into use in Nong'an county, Northeast China's Jilin province, on Monday.

Covering an area of 6 square kilometers, the proving ground is now the largest comprehensive automobile test base with complete functions in China.

After four years' construction and an investment of more than 1.7 billion yuan ($240.8 million), the test ground contains five functional areas, namely endurance strengthening, airbag effectiveness, dynamic, comprehensive performance and high-speed loop testing.

It has also built a testing road that is more than 60 kilometers long.

"The completion of the new proving ground has filled the gap of China's automobile industry in the field of vehicle verification and testing," said Liu Yigong, general manager of FAW-Volkswagen, at the ceremony. "It can also implement the determination of the group to build a complete automobile ecological industrial chain with practical actions, and further promote the enterprise to step up to a new level in the market competition."